Nods & Pops
Weekly-ish podcast where two pop culture junkies share our thoughts on the hottest offerings on stage & screen and rate everything based on how many times they put us to sleep. We watch all the things so you don’t have to. Tune in & join the conversation!
Episode 174: [Title]
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Episode 173: Why Are You Picking Your Nose?
This week, we’re joined one of the most exciting creators in Australian musical theatre: Laura Murphy!
In this episode, Laura takes us from her childhood & early days as a performer right through to writing The Lovers, Zombie and The Dismissal. We get into how she actually writes a musical, where the ideas come from, what it’s like creating work with your mates & what she's learned being both the person onstage & behind the scenes.
We also talk about the highs, the disasters, the lessons, the friendships & everything in between, plus what Laura is dreaming up n...
Episode 173: [Title]
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join our community on Patreon. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok and head to our website where you can email us your viewing suggestions.
Episode 172: Who Doesn't Want To Feel Like That?
This week, Australian theatre legend Queenie van de Zandt joins us for a candid & entertaining conversation about a career that has spanned more than three decades across stage & screen.
From acclaimed performances in The Newsreader, Next to Normal & a glorious run of shows at Ensemble Theatre, Queenie has become one of Australia's most respected & versatile creative voices.
We discuss her remarkable journey through the arts, the challenges & triumphs of sustaining a creative career, her unforgettable alter ego Jan van de Stool & why storytelling remains at the heart of everything she does.
We also div...
Episode 172: [Title]
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join our community on Patreon. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok and head to our website where you can email us your viewing suggestions.
Episode 171: This Deserves To Be Seen
This week, the buzz is all about radio giants Kyle & Jackie O, the latest on Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's legal battle, Nicole Kidman & Simon Baker (new couple alert?) & casting news on The Housemaid's Secret & the upcoming Madonna biopic. At the theatre, we went to The Prom at Teatro Theatre & My Brilliant Career at Sydney Theatre Company. On the small screen we’ve been watching Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model on Netflix. On the big screen we saw Wuthering Heights & sat mere metres away from Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we learn abou...
Episode 170: 2026 Academy Awards Preview
What a treat to welcome back our friend Scott Gainsburg for this very special annual episode where we preview the movies wracking up awards nominations! The buzz is all about the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards & BAFTAs. On the big screen, we watched One Battle After Another, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, Sentimental Value & Sinners. Then we work our way through the big six categories - Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Director & Best Picture - and share who we think who should win & who will win.
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Episode 169: How Have You Never Seen Love Actually?
This week, we're catching up on all the theatre (again). We went to The Edit & The True History of the Life & Death of King Lear & His Three Daughters at Belvoir St Theatre, Fly Girl & Dial M For Murder at Ensemble Theatre, The Royal Experiment at NIDA, Naturism at Griffin Theatre, Love Actually: The Musical Parody at the Darling Quarter Theatre, Born on a Thursday at the Old Fitz Theatre and Bad Hand & Mama Does Derby at Sydney Festival.
In this episode we mention another podcast, Back From Reality.
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Episode 168: The Wicked: For Good Movie Edition
No segments. No shortcuts. Just Wicked. In this special movie edition, we’re dedicating the entire episode to Wicked: For Good! From big-screen spectacle to quiet character moments, we’re unpacking what worked, what surprised us & what’s been living rent-free in our heads since the credits rolled.
This week, the buzz is all about Wicked's mega marketing campaign, the unmissable concert special Wicked: One Wonderful Night & all the noms & snubs from the Golden Globe & Critics Choice Awards. Then we break down Wicked: For Good in (great) detail, discussing everything from our favourite moments, the things that bugged...
Episode 167: He Can Do No Good
We're back! This week, the buzz is all about Lady Gaga's Mayhem Ball, all the nods & snubs from the Golden Globes & Critics Choice noms & a whole lot of quickies including the latest Variety Actors on Actors series. At the theatre, we went to Back To The Future at Sydney Lyric Theatre & Pretty Woman at Theatre Royal. On the small screen we’ve been watching All Her Fault on Binge. On the big screen we saw The Housemaid. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the Luigi Mangione trial & learn about the murders of Hollywood dire...
Episode 166: Theatre Lovers
This week, we're catching up on a LOT of theatre (again). We went to The Talented Mr Ripley & The Shiralee at Sydney Theatre Company, Orlando & Meow Meow's The Red Shoes at Belvoir St Theatre, True West at Ensemble Theatre, The Addams Family at Teatro Theatre, Chicken In A Biscuit at Old Fitz Theatre, The Witches Of Eastwick at Hayes Theatre, Calamity Jane at Sydney Opera House, Shirley Valentine at Theatre Royal & The Pajama Game at The Foundry Theatre.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a ra...
Episode 165: We Know It Quite Ineptly
This week, the buzz is all about the passing of Diane Keaton, The Greatest Showman Musical, Noah Mullins' West End debut, 13 Going On 30 Musical, Paddington The Musical, Casey Donovan's national tour, Beetlejuice coming to Brisbane, Prima Facie starring Matilda Ridgeway, Only Murders In The Building & Nobody Wants This renewed, Selena Gomez' wedding, G-Flip & Chrishell winning Halloween, the latest on Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni, Kim K on Call Her Daddy podcast, the song of the moment & our clip of the week. Phew! At the theatre, we went to Phar Lap at the Hayes Theatre & The Lovers at Theatre Royal...
Episode 164: Love Is Dead
This week, the buzz is all about Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban. At the theatre, we went to Rent at Sydney Opera House & Menopause: The Musical at the State Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching The Assassin on Stan. On the big screen we saw Inter Alia. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on two previous trials - Karen Read & Bryan Kohberger.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join our community on Patreo...
Episode 163: Cut The Fat Somewhere Else
This week, the buzz is all about the Emmy Awards, the Wicked: For Good movie trailer, Beetlejuice, Little Shop of Horrors, The Babysitters Club & our other fave podcast, Good Hang with Amy Poehler. At the theatre, we went to Bright Star at the Hayes Theatre & How To Plot A Hit In Two Days at Ensemble Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching The Hunting Wives on Stan & Unknown Number: The High School Catfish on Netflix. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the Menendez Brothers appeal & get the verdict in the Cardi B tr...
Episode 162: The Fun Aunt
This week, the buzz is all about Aunty Ellen on Tipping Point, Survivor: Australia vs The World, the diabolical Cluedo casting, Yve Blake's new show Mackenzie and the trailers for Wuthering Heights & Die My Love. At the theatre, we went to Kimberly Akimbo at Arts Centre Melbourne & Beetlejuice at the Regent Theatre in Melbourne. On the small screen we’ve been watching Happy Face on Prime Video. On the big screen, we saw The Roses. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get the verdict in the mushroom murder trial, we check in on CrimeCon & we learn about the...
Episode 161: All The Theatre
This week, we're catching up on a LOT of theatre. We went to The 39 Steps at Sydney Opera House, Emerald City, Primary Trust & The Half-Life Of Marie Curie at Ensemble Theatre, Once On This Island, Tristan & Isolde and Silver Tongue at Hayes Theatre, Grief Is The Thing With Feathers & The Spare Room at Belvoir St Theatre, Circle Mirror Transformation at Sydney Theatre Company, Prima Facie at Carriageworks, Cats at Theatre Royal, Eureka Day at Seymour Centre & Annie at Capitol Theatre.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us...
Episode 160: Our Forever Jesus
Pamela Anderson & Liam Neeson, Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce, Elise McCann & Andy Karl. Jesus Christ Superstar. Waitress, Heathers & My Brilliant Career. Roslyn Packer Theatre upgrade. DMV, The Savant, The Girlfriend & The Paper. SNL. Anniversary, Swiped, Ella McKay, Good Fortune & After The Hunt. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner we talk about the explosive Bryan Kohberger sentencing hearing.
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Episode 159: I Wanna Be In The Monotony
This week, the buzz is all about Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl, Waiting for Godot on Broadway (with Keanu!), the death of actor Michael Madsen & first trailer for Christopher Nolan's epic The Odyssey. At the theatre, we went to The Lover & The Dumb Waiter at Ensemble Theatre & Mary Jane at the Old Fitz. On the small screen we’ve been watching The Better Sister & Babygirl, both on Prime Video. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner we learn about the Preppy Party murder trial.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’...
Episode 158: She’s Just So Casually A Bit Nuts
This week, the buzz is all about Bachelor Girl, Squid Game Universe, Jamie Lloyd takes on The Wizard Of Oz, Jonathan La Paglia dumped from Australian Survivor, Tarzan The Musical, Samantha Jade is Pretty Woman & Building The Band. At the theatre, we went to Happy Days at Sydney Theatre Company & Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown at Hayes Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching Good American Family on Disney+ & Kinda Pregnant on Netflix. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner we get big news on the Bryan Kohberger trial.
Want to support the...
Episode 157: My Old Friend Darren Criss
This week, it's a super-sized buzz featuring all the moments from Cynthia Erivo's Tony Awards, our final visits to Titanique, Choose Your Own Musical Adventure with Queenie van de Zandt, The Lovers cast announcement, Evita previews on the West End, Katy Perry's Lifetimes tour, an update on the Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni battle and all the easter eggs in the Wicked: For Good trailer. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get the verdict in the Karen Read trial.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a...
Episode 156: Shots Fired
This week, the buzz is all about Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald, Variety Actors on Actors, The 39 Steps, The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping, Martha Stewart & Snoop Dogg, Suzy Miller's new play Inter Alia & the Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Furness split. At the theatre, we went to Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular at the ICC & In The Next Room...Or The Vibrator Play at the New Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching Sirens on Netflix & Another Simple Favour on Prime Video. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we do a mini deep dive on the Karen Read...
Episode 155: One Of These People Is Not Like The Others
This week we're back for another bumper episode with our friend, the hilarious Scott Gainsburg. The buzz is all about the trailer for All's Fair, Bridgerton, Wild Things, Wicked: For Good, Deadwood returning with Virginia Gay, Reese Witherspoon & Harlen Coben, MJ The Musical on Sunrise, Cynthia Erivo in both Dracula & Prima Facie, Megan Mullally & Nick Offerman coming for Vivid & our favourite couple, Meryl & Marty. At the theatre, we went to The Wrong Gods at Belvoir & And Then There Were None at the Theatre Royal. On the small screen we’ve been watching The Four Seasons on Netflix & The Apprentice on...
Episode 154: Even If The Show Was Amazing, I'd Be Going Home
This week, the buzz is all about The Lovers, the Tony noms, Variety's Actors on Actors Broadway edition, Blake Lively at the Time 100 gala & the real life Conclave. At the theatre, we went to The Producers at the Hayes Theatre & Big Girls Don't Cry at Belvoir Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching Black Mirror on Netflix & G20 on Prime Video. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get the verdict in the Lori Daybell trial & hear all about the Karen Read - the retrial of the century.
Want to support the show? Hit the...
Episode 154: [Title]
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join our community on Patreon. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok and head to our website where you can email us your viewing suggestions.
Episode 153: What Kind Of Length Are You Talking About?
This week, the buzz is all about Lady Gaga at Coachella, the Death Becomes Her Cast Recording, Ghosts Australia, SNL UK, the trailers for And Just Like That Season 3 & Four Seasons, Blake Lively on the Time 100 list, the all-female Monday morning space mission & the funniest story you'll see this year: Where Is Bed? At the theatre, we went to Fighting at the New Theatre & The Glass Menagerie at Ensemble Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching Dying For Sex on Disney Plus & Heretic on streaming. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the...
Episode 152: You Really Put It In The Stratosphere
This week, the buzz is all about the Olivier Awards, the Back To The Future Australian cast announcement, the Gaga tour confirmation we've all been waiting for & we preview Coachella. At the theatre, we went to Bloom at Sydney Theatre Company & Annie at the Capitol Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching The White Lotus on Binge (now Max) & Holland on Prime Video. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the Doomsday Mom trial & the Menendez Brothers court appeal.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’...
Episode 151: This Performance Is A Piece Of Art
This week, the buzz is all about Wicked: For Good at CinemaCon, The White Lotus cast, Lady Gaga on SNL, the Hadestown proposal, Robert Irwin for Bonds & Cynthia Erivo at the GLAAD Awards. At the theatre, we went to MJ: The Musical at Sydney Lyric Theatre & Aria at Ensemble Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching Adolescence on Netflix. On the big screen we saw Juror #2. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the Bryan Kohberger case, the Karen Read trial & the new Toxic Roommate murder trial.
Want to support the...
Episode 150: Just Plain Thirsty
This week, the buzz is all about The Oscars - that start, the host, the fashion & of course the winners. At the theatre, we went to The Pirates of Penzance at the Hayes Theatre & Song Of First Desire at Belvoir St Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching Running Point & Back In Action, both on Netflix. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the Bryan Kohberger case.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and jo...
Episode 149: A Dainty Nosey Ring
This week, the buzz is all about SNL 50, the trailer for A Simple Favor 2 & some quickies (including the moment where we butcher The White Lotus theme song). At the theatre, we went to Hadestown at the Theatre Royal. On the small screen we’ve been watching Apple Cider Vinegar on Netflix. On the big screen we saw Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy & Conclave. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on Luigi Mangione & the Karen Read trial.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episod...
Episode 148: Academy Awards Predictions
He's back! We couldn't do this very special Oscars prediction episode without our friend Scott Gainsburg. This week, the buzz is all about the BAFTAs & the SAG Awards - how much did those results affect our choices? Then we work our way through the big six categories - Best Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Director & Best Picture - and share who we think was robbed of a nomination, who should win & who will win.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a rev...
Episode 147: It's All Sort Of, Whatever, A Bit Sexy
This week, the buzz is all about awards season - The Grammys, the AACTAs & Critics Choice Awards - plus this Wicked trend (obsessed). At the theatre, we went to Peter & The Starcatcher at the Capitol Theatre & 4000 Miles at Sydney Theatre Company. On the small screen we’ve been watching new Aussie comedy Optics & Netflix movie Carry-On. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the upcoming Bryan Kohberger trial.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join o...
Episode 146: Do You Think Anyone Would See The Sequel?
This week, the buzz is all about the latest in the Blake Lively v. Jason Baldoni legal battle, we break down the Oscar nominations, we countdown to 50 years of SNL & we touch on the resurgence of Spencer & Heidi Pratt amid the LA wildfires. At the theatre, we went to A Model Murder at Sydney Festival & Wuthering Heights at Roslyn Packer Theatre. On the small screen we’ve been watching Missing You on Netflix. On the big screen we watched Better Man. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the Karen Read trial.
Want...
Episode 145: Awards Movie Preview Edition
We're thrilled to welcome back our friend Scott Gainsburg for this very special episode where we preview the movies wracking up awards nominations! The buzz is all about the Golden Globe winners & the rescheduled dates for all the upcoming awards ceremonies. On the big screen, we watched Anora, Emilia Pérez, A Real Pain, The Room Next Door & Sing Sing.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join our community on Patreon. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Tik...
Episode 144: We Watched It All
This week we countdown our top 5 musicals, plays, TV shows & movies of 2024. Listen now & find out what made our list!
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join our community on Patreon. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok and head to our website where you can email us your viewing suggestions.
Episode 143: She Just Has An Angelistic Voice
This week, the buzz is all about the Blake Lively v. Jason Baldoni legal battle, Variety's Actors on Actors series & the Critics Choice Awards noms. At the theatre, we went to Sydney Theatre Company's Dear Evan Hansen & Belvoir Theatre's August: Osage County. On the small screen we’ve been watching A Man on the Inside on Netflix & My Old Ass on Prime Video. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we get an update on the Sydney Powell case & delve into the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so y...
Episode 142: She Just Eludes Greatness
This week, the buzz is all about A (Very) Musical Christmas, MJ The Musical, Wicked at home & Patti LuPone at Sunset Blvd. At the theatre, we went to Elf & Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn. On the small screen we’ve been watching Only Murders In The Building on Disney+ & Wolfs on Apple TV+. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we check in on the Black Swan murder trial & Boyfriend in the Suitcase Trial.
Want to support the show? Hit the follow button so you don’t miss an episode, leave us a rating or a review and join o...
Episode 141: The Wicked Movie Edition
We're holding space (a whole episode in fact) for this very special Wicked edition - because a film this epic deserves its own dedicated episode. (Also, as our editor pointed out, we have so much to say on this subject that this ep is almost as long as the film itself without any additional segments!)
This week, the buzz is all about Sarah talking Wicked on ABC NewsRadio, Gladiator II jumping on the Wicked bandwagon on SNL, the infamous Wicked "Holding Space" interview plus the iconic interview about the interview & the Golden Globe nominations (including four for...
Episode 140: It Was So Nostalgic & Yet Fresh
This week, the buzz is all about Michael Cassel Group's A (Very) Musical Christmas. Melanie Tait's new play A Model Murder on sale, Conan O'Brien announced as host of the Oscars & we break down the legal drama plaguing Sean "Diddy" Combs*. At the theatre, we went to the opening nights of Jesus Christ Superstar (watch a taster here) & Six The Musical. On the small screen we’ve been watching Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story* & Woman of the Hour, both on Netflix. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we check in on the Boyfriend in the Suitcase Trial, the...
Episode 139: The Buzziest Buzz
Sorry for the delay! We're doing things a bit differently this week because there's so much buzz to catch up on!
The Wicked Premieres: Tune in to Sentimental Men & the Emsolation podcasts then check out the cast socials, especially Cynthia Erivo, who features some excellent interview snippets in her Reels. The reviews are in for Sunset Blvd. on Broadway, The Devil Wears Prada has opened on the West End, the 13 Going on 30 musical (or Suddenly 30 if you're in Australia) will hit theatres in 2025 & The Book of Mormon Australia new tour cast has been revealed. Couple alerts: Hugh...
Episode 138: This Is All Happening Too Fast
This week we have a very special guest joining us to discuss all things pop culture: Scott Gainsburg! The buzz is all about the Hadestown Australian cast reveal, the Sydney opening of Dear Evan Hansen & the death of One Direction member Liam Payne. At the theatre, we went to Titanique. On the small screen we’ve been watching It's A Sin on Stan. On the big screen we saw The Substance. And in Lisa’s True Crime Corner, we hear the latest on the Boyfriend in the Suitcase Trial.
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